Metrolink's Big Weekender

Trams braced for busiest ever weekend

TfGM and Metrolink are preparing for around 150,000 people expected to attend events across the tram network on 8 and 9 June.

As well as the annual Parklife 2-day event taking place at Heaton Park, Rod Stewart is playing the Manchester Arena on both Saturday and Sunday. If that wasn’t enough, on Saturday Bon Jovi play the Etihad and Grillstock BBQ and music festival descends on Albert Square.

To cope with demand, Metrolink are to make some changes to regular services and put on more double and special events trams for the public. Therefore, all passengers are asked to double check travel plans and allow extra time for journeys.

TfGM Metrolink Director, Peter Cushing said “It goes without saying that the tram network, along with city centre bus and rail services will be extremely busy.”

Peter Cushing

“We’re putting on extra trams and will have dozens of staff at key stops on the network to help passengers – We want all of our customers to have a good journey and a great weekend.”

For festival goers attending Parklife, Heaton Park stop will be closed from 8pm onwards on 8 and 9 June due to limited crowd management facilities. Post-event, passengers will be advised to head to the Bowker Vale Metrolink just over a mile away from the Heaton Park station.

For Parklifers that want to give trams a miss completely, organisers are putting on a special Parklife Express shuttle bus service, picking up from Owens Park in Fallowfield and Miller Street in the city centre (close to Victoria Station), dropping off inside the festival site. You can buy shuttle bus tickets in advance, including a weekend saver from here. Travel tickets for the weekend can also be bought from tickets machines at Metrolink stations.